Unexpected Destiny (Assassins and Sweethearts Book 3) Read online

  On the ride up, he received a text from Sam. Two men, one with a rather long list of breaking and entering convictions, had entered her building. Aidan guessed at least one of them had torn through Liz’s place last night. So much for the good security she thought her building had. He shifted his weight back and forth and rolled his shoulders.

  The second the elevator doors opened, he shot through them. He didn’t stop moving until he got to her front door. With eyes closed, he listened for movement inside. Nothing seemed to be coming from the front room. He’d only gotten a glimpse of it last night but he remembered seeing a piece of a mirror still hanging on the wall that reflected the next room.

  He turned the still unlocked handle and pushed into the room. The broken mirror piece hung on the wall where he remembered and showed a dark figure moving about the kitchen.

  Maneuvering across the room, into the kitchen, he grabbed a hanging pot on his way, and clocked the intruder across the head. The man fell hard, shaking the whole room. Shuffling from the bedroom had him turning around and blocking a blow from a second man. He took a ruthless jab to the ribs but returned with a shattering upper cut to the man’s jaw. When the man fell, a knife flew from his hand and skidded across the floor.

  Aidan blew out a shaky breath. Knifes were often the great equalizer in fights. He had firsthand experience with the damage they could do. He swiped both men with the gel Sam had given him and prayed they woke and led them to some answers. Of course, if either of them had laid a hand on Liz, he’d end their ability to breathe.

  Picking up the knife, he set out to find Liz. Each step added a brick to his already heavy chest.

  He closed his eyes for a second and returned his thoughts to the mission. A clear head would get her out of this. The apartment needed to be analyzed. It held endless clues about what was really going on here but now was not the time to collect them. Enough was enough. Liz was leaving with him and staying by his side until this mess was over. He’d keep her safe whether she wanted his help or not. No more defense. He wanted back on offense.

  Once inside her bedroom, he spotted a bag by her purse on her bed. She was getting ready to run from the evil chasing her. Pride lifted his spirits. He may not like her decision but it was smart.

  “Elizabeth.” Be alive. My God, please, Liz. Be alive.

  The sweetest whimper came from the direction of the closet.

  He rushed over and pushed the clothes around but didn’t find her. His heart continued to clench. “I’m here to help. Where are you, honey?” He’d punch through the walls if he didn’t find her soon.

  “In here.” The small sound came from his left.

  Upon further investigation, he found a small crack in the corner. With a little push, the wall moved back and revealed her in a small unfinished room.

  “Oh, thank God.” He scooped her up. Luckily, her arms wrapped around him. He set her on the bed and looked her over. “Are you okay?” He felt his way along her arms and down her legs before pressing his palm to her heart, a nice steady beat.

  “I think so.” Her eyes were glazed over and her skin had lost all of its color but she was alive. She handed him two stacks of cash and a passport.

  “I need to get you out of here before those two wake up.” He pushed what she’d given him in her bag and swung it and her purse over his shoulder. Back in the closet he found a pair of tennis shoes. “Can you walk?” He knelt and guided her feet into the shoes, tied them, and then pulled on her hands.

  “I think so.”

  “Keep your eyes on me, okay?” She remained silent. “Elizabeth.” He tried again and squeezed her hands. “Eyes on me.”

  “Okay.” She allowed him to pull her. “The boots.”

  “What?”

  “I borrowed my neighbor’s boots.” She pulled out of his hold to scoop up a pair of old dirty boots. “I need to return them.”

  “All right. Follow me.” He slipped his fingers around her free hand and squeezed. “Okay?”

  She nodded.

  He guided her through the room. They picked up the pace through the kitchen. Both men still appeared to be out cold but he knew that could change. She pulled back on his hand as they stepped over the man who probably had a broken jaw. Aidan flexed his free hand a few times, just to reassure himself it was still in working order. She dropped the boots outside the neighboring apartment.

  She didn’t make a sound on their ride down on the elevator. He kept her close to his side. In the alley, he climbed onto the bike and pulled her bags to rest in front of him.

  “Get on. We need to get out of here.”

  She scrambled on behind him and he pulled her hands to wrap around his middle. He gave them a good squeeze before starting his bike. Having her back with him calmed his nerves but he couldn’t ignore how she’d been affected. About halfway to his place, her hold tightened. Either something heightened her fear or she believed she could trust him again. It probably wasn’t the latter. Clery luck was never that sweet.

  He’d hoped the ride would shake her awake but her skin was just as ashen when he pulled her from the bike. He guided her to his apartment and secured the door and both security systems. No one would be walking in on them this time.

  He dropped her bags on the island and took her right to his bathroom. After starting a bath, he stripped her. She didn’t fight him, not when he removed her t-shirt or her shoes and jeans. The temptation to kiss her fear away zipped through him like electricity.

  “Do you want me to stay?” He caressed her cheek.

  “No, thank you. I need some time on my own.” She didn’t look at him, her eyes focused on something in the corner.

  She stood there like a pillar of strength. The gold from the locket hanging from her neck caught his eye. “I’m glad you got it back.”

  She covered it with her fingers and didn’t look up.

  “Okay. I’ll leave you alone. There are new toothbrushes in the cabinet.” He stepped back to the doorway. “Call me if you need anything. I’ll be right outside.” Closing the door behind him, he stood on the other side for several minutes. It took all his will power not to go right back in and wrap his arms around her. He wanted to take her fear away. It killed him to know he played a part in her turmoil.

  Finally, sounds of swishing water drifted to his ears and he moved away, grabbed a chair, and waited near the door.

  The last hour could have gone a million different ways. He had to admit he’d been damn lucky to get her back so quickly, but did he really get her back?

  ****

  The door closed her in with a quiet click. The click she’d been hoping for those long minutes when she was certain death was the only way out. A tremor rattled her whole body.

  She couldn’t have gotten the safe room door to click though. It was incapable of closing. The one thing a safe room should be able to do was close and it couldn’t. She rubbed up and down her arms, wishing the shaking would stop.

  She thought back to the last time she saw Reese. It was the day the workers were scheduled to finish the safe room but he canceled them because he had a last minute business meeting in New York. She’d thought it was so sweet of him to not have the workers show up when he wasn’t there. He’d assured her he’d have them finish the room when he returned but he’d never come home. She’d never heard from him again.

  Had it all been a ruse? Was he alive and well somewhere waiting for her to die?

  All these months she’d agonized over what could have happened to him. She’d thought about hiring investigators when the police hadn’t been able to give her complete answers. Maybe if she had, she’d have known the terrible truth sooner. She’d thought the worst they could tell her was that Reese was dead. Now, she needed to face the possibility it had all been lies.

  Who was she to trust now? The assassin hired to kill her but who had saved her instead? The man who had given her the most incredible night of conversation and sex? She rubbed the spot on her neck where he’d sucked l
ast night. Oh God, she wanted more from him.

  She’d shared so many things with Aidan, from the tiniest of tidbits to her deeply personal preferences. She’d told him things she’d never even thought of telling Reese, her own husband, not that it seemed their promises had meant anything.

  Instead of the man who’d promised to love her forever, it was the man who’d agreed to kill her who’d kept her alive. Aidan. Who the hell was he? She rubbed her face. Who the hell were those two goons? They’d clearly trashed her place. They knew about the safe room. Had Reese hired them? Had he hired Aidan too? She rocked as the questions swirled around her thoughts.

  Was she even safe in this bathroom? Her gaze darted around the small space and her skin crawled with unspent energy. She had no idea if she should stay or go, but the alternative was too damn scary. Staying put in Aidan’s place would have to be the right move and, if she was honest with herself, she’d admit she didn’t want to leave him.

  A cool breeze drifted across her frozen skin. She turned to the claw-foot tub. The warm water called to her. It was exactly what she needed.

  On shaky feet, she shuffled to the tub and slipped into the bath. The heat eased into her numb muscles, like drinking hot chocolate on the coldest of nights.

  She rubbed the palms of her hands, still feeling the rough edges of the items pushing against her hands as she squeezed them tight in that sorry excuse for a safe room. If Aidan hadn’t come—she shook her head back and forth and clasped the edge of the tub. Her lips trembled and her heart raced at the thought. But Aidan had been there. He’d also come to her aide last night.

  Sinking farther under the water, its heat melted the fear like when Aidan came through the safe room door. She sat up and drew in a breath of fresh air, pulling it deep into her lungs. Both hands cleared the water from her eyes. She looked to the door. He’d saved her and, if she remembered it all correctly, there had been relief shining bright in his eyes when he’d found her.

  Her breathing picked up and she rubbed her chest. She’d had it all wrong. It was Aidan who had saved her not only last night, but today too. Her body lit up with the idea of trusting him completely. He was the one who’d gotten her to forget all her troubles last night. He was the one who’d saved her today. Maybe he really was her hero. Her body lit on fire.

  But she’d yelled at him and accused him of all kinds of terrible things. Was he even still here? In an effort to save her life, had she ruined something real? She leaned forward over her knees. The bathwater had turned cold and she knew only one thing could warm her now.

  She climbed out of the tub. “Aidan,” she called. Her voice came out brittle. Chilly air floated over her rapidly cooling skin. She grabbed the towel he’d set on the chair for her. Its fluffy warmth doing little to prepare her for what she was about to ask.

  The door opened and he appeared. The same deliciously handsome man she’d been with for an entire evening. Damn, she wanted to sink back into that moment, a perfect moment of luscious luxury. She took a step forward and stumbled. In two large steps he was in front of her and he clasped her waist. The heat took her by surprise.

  Once her feet were stable, she said, “I’m sorry I ran.” She clutched his shirt and focused on his mouth.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you the truth earlier.” He brushed her dripping hair from her face.

  “Oh, Aidan.” She gazed into his blue eyes and saw everything she’d dreamed of. His strength, worry, and passion swirled together giving her something to cling to. “I’m sorry I called you crazy.” She leaned into him.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t catch up to you sooner.” He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead.

  “Thank you for coming after me. You saved my life.”

  He pulled back and lifted her chin to meet his gaze. “That’s been my goal from the beginning.”

  “I believe you.” The truth filled her whole and her breathing slowed. When she ran from him, she hadn’t a clue what kind of danger she was facing but now the reality of his conviction couldn’t be denied.

  “Don’t leave me again.”

  “I won’t.” She pressed her wet body against his. “I’m scared.”

  “I’ll figure it out. You just need to stay with me.” Ever so slowly he lowered over her and gave her a simple kiss.

  “Aidan?”

  “Let me hold you. I need this. I need to know you’re okay.” He rubbed her back and arms.

  “Kiss me again.” She ached to be close to him, to get lost in the way he claimed her.

  Then he took the towel and dropped it on the floor. “You want more than a kiss, don’t you?”

  “Yes.” She grabbed fistfuls of his shirt.

  He swiped his fingers between her legs. “Be with me. Open your body to me.”

  A flush heated her cheeks. “But I’m all wet.”

  “I don’t give a fuck.” He sucked his slick fingers and then scooped her up. “Besides, you’re about to get a whole lot wetter.” He carried her out of the bathroom. “I can’t think of a better way to settle our souls and there are quite a few things we didn’t make time for last night.”

  Chapter Seven

  “Please tell me we have time for those delicious things right now.”

  “You better believe it.” He sat her on the edge of the bed. “Lay back and spread those lovely thighs wide for me.”

  She did as he’d ordered. The deep dark shade of blue his eyes had turned told her only a fool wouldn’t do as he’d commanded. She rubbed the inside of her thighs as she opened them. A shiver danced across her damp skin.

  “You’re beautiful.”

  She watched him as he stripped. “My thoughts exactly.”

  “I’ll be right back.”

  “Don’t leave.” She reached for him.

  “I’m just getting a condom.”

  “Do you have to? I’m clean and I’m on the pill.” Her lips parted and her body froze while she waited for his answer.

  “You honor me, sweetheart. Thank you.” He knelt and grabbed her thighs “I’m clean as well.” He kissed the inside of her thigh, then licked and sucked his way closer to her center. “Will you do something for me?”

  “Anything.” She rocked her pelvis.

  He pulled back. “You keep this beautiful pussy right where it is. I mean, I don’t want you to move at all.” He dragged his finger through her slit and sucked his finger clean again.

  “I can’t move?”

  “Sure, you can move, sweetheart. I want you to grab those perfect tits for me. Pull and pluck to your heart’s content.” He slid two fingers deep inside her. “You play and I’ll keep playing. Deal?”

  “Oh.” A moaned slipped from her lips as he flexed his fingers inside of her, touching all the spaces and driving her wild. A warm glow blossomed inside. She bit her lip and dragged her teeth over her bottom lip. The only thing she could do was obey. A flush of heat blasted her. She pushed her breasts together and then pulled on her nipples. “Like this?”

  He pulled his fingers out, spread her honey over her pussy lips, and then pushed his way back into her channel. “Oh, yeah.” He took a long slow lick over her clit.

  “Damn, that feels good.” It took all the concentration she had to not ride his face as he tasted her from the bottom to the top.

  “Every time you think you’re going to move, I want you to give those tits a firm tug.”

  “You like having control, don’t you?” Her breasts felt heavy as hell and they tingled right along with her core.

  “Hell yeah and you want to come tonight, right?” He knelt on the bed. His cock was long and thick. A pearl of cum seeped from the tip.

  She squeezed her breasts and pressed her thumbs over her hard nipples, eliciting a hiss through her teeth. “I’d prefer to come several times.” Her focus remained on his dick.

  “That’s my girl.” He stroked his cock as he played with her clit. “You taste so good. I bet you’d like to get a taste of my cock too. Would
n’t you?”

  She licked her lips. “Yes, everything yes.”

  He positioned himself between her thighs and he pushed his tongue into her pussy. She arched her back and squeezed her tits together. The next second, he pushed his fingers into her and then ravaged her clit with his hot wet mouth. He took a long sucking pull and something let go deep inside. Blackness pushed through her body and then it all changed. Sweet light blasted her. She screamed and he continued sucking while he repeatedly pushed into her pussy with his fingers, flexing them over the sweet spot. She moaned loud and full, riding the wave.

  When she quieted, his hands pressed over hers to squeeze her breasts. “How are you doing?”

  “More, please.” Her breathing was still ragged but she wanted more. She had enough of waiting. She reached for his cock.

  “Stay where you are.” He straddled her head. “I’ll give you just a taste.”

  “But I want all of you, just like you’ve done for me.” She licked the tip of his cock. Sugary, salty warmth hit her senses and she licked him again.

  “Maybe later if you’re good, but my immediate plans involve fucking that hot pussy of yours.” He tapped his cock head on her tongue and then lifted it away.

  “I can’t argue with your plan.” She opened wide and he guided his dick inside. Her tongue lathered the underside.

  “Your mouth is heaven.” He pumped his hips in slow short strokes.

  She sucked harder. The only thing she wanted now was more of this man. She worked her mouth around his silky strong length as he gave her another inch. A short couple of minutes later he pulled from her. Then he scooped her up and flipped them around. He landed on his back and she was straddling him.

  “Are you ready to move?” He stroked his cock through her folds. “I want to watch as you ride me.”

  “Oh.”

  “Right now, sweetheart. Take me inside you.”

  She swiveled her hips and lowered onto his cock. He filled her deliciously full, taking her breath away. “Hold on. I need a second.” Her emotions were about to burst. She needed to savor this feeling that could be described as nothing less than complete. There was nothing between them and yet everything between them. It was perfect. Her eyes closed and she flexed her fingers against his chest.